Safeguarding Taiwan’s freedom

By Li Thian-hok 李天福

Fourth, Washington should initiate high level contacts between the militaries of the US and Taiwan, to boost Taiwan’s morale and readiness and to help counter any subversive activities within Taiwan. Such exchanges could include port calls by US Navy ships.

Lastly, bolstering the US military presence in the Western Pacific (as mandated by the TRA and recommended by the US secretary of defense) should anticipate potential Taiwan contingencies.

Both Deng and Hu grasp the political and strategic value of Taiwan to China’s expansionist ambitions. Hopefully, US leaders will also recognize the importance of Taiwan to the US standing in the world and will adopt timely measures to forestall a geostrategic disaster for the US.

Li Thian-hok is a distinguished fellow of the International Assessment and Strategy Center in Washington.